Chipped tooth

What you may be worried about

• The chip may get bigger or turn into a larger break.
• The tooth may be cracked even if only a small piece is missing.
• The sharp edge may cut your tongue or cheek.
• The tooth may need more treatment than a simple repair.

Common patterns people notice

• chipped tooth
• broken tooth
• sharp tooth

Possible causes

• Biting something hard or catching the tooth at the wrong angle.
• Older fillings or restorations weakening the remaining tooth.
• Grinding, clenching or uneven bite pressure.
• Trauma or an accident.
• Decay underneath enamel or around an existing filling.

What to do now

• Keep the area clean and avoid chewing hard foods on the broken tooth.
• Cover a sharp edge with orthodontic wax from a pharmacy if it is rubbing your tongue or cheek.
• Use the urgent pathway if the tooth is painful, loose, badly broken, or the break followed trauma.
• Keep any broken fragment if you have it, but do not delay urgent assessment to look for it.

What to avoid

• Do not keep biting on the broken tooth to test it.
• Do not use household glue or non-dental materials to patch the tooth.

When to arrange a dental assessment

• Arrange assessment if the chip is sharp, visible, sensitive, painful, or larger than a small enamel edge.

What a dentist may need to assess

• Whether the tooth is cracked, decayed, nerve-involved, loose, or structurally strong enough for a simple repair.
• Whether the chip is only enamel, involves dentine, exposes the nerve area or undermines an old filling.
• Whether the bite, grinding pattern or an older restoration caused the tooth to fracture.

Options that may be considered

What we would consider before recommending treatment

• Whether the tooth is painful or sensitive.
• How much tooth structure has been lost.
• Whether the tooth is cracked, decayed or heavily restored.
• How the tooth meets the opposing teeth when you bite.
• Whether the repair needs to be cosmetic, protective, or both.

A sensible next step

If the tooth is painful, loose, badly broken or caused by a fall or trauma, use the emergency dental page. If it is stable but sharp, uncomfortable or visible when you smile, book an appointment for assessment and repair options.

Possible next steps

• Smoothing, bonding, a filling, a crown, root canal treatment, extraction, or monitoring may be discussed depending on the damage.
• If trauma caused the chip, follow-up may be needed because nerve changes can appear after the first visit.

Common questions